0 
0 


8 


MAN  C  E 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 

Jo  Swerling 


"  ""■■"*:':' '^■':;''<'^'--^l!Sl!!''!::!--'-''^i;'::;r::!.:-:vH:4ii;i;!i|iiliii:ii^^ 


In'lir'llll.lll/  ;l!l 


i  III !» 


iiilJi      ! 


ROMANCE   IN  SONG 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL  INTERLUDE 


TRANSLATED    BV 

FRANKLIN    JOHNSON 


lUustvatcrt 


BOSTON 
D.    LOTIIKOP    AND    ('0:\[PANY 

FlIAXKLIX   AND    HAWLKY    StKEF.TS 


Copyright, 
BV    D.    LOTHROP  &   Co. 

1&84. 


ELE'TUOTVrEn 
BV   C.   J.    I'ETFRS  &   SON,    BOSTON. 


PllEFACE. 


In  1823  Heine  published  a  volume  containing  two  trage- 
dies, Almansor  and  Ratcliff,  and,  between  them,  the  present 
collection  of  poems.  He  called  these  songs  a  Lj'rical  Inter- 
lude, a  name  perhaps  designed  to  suggest  not  merely  their 
position  in  the  book,  l)ut  also  the  inferior  esteem  in  which, 
at  the  time,  he  held  them,  as  the  slighter  products  of  his 
genius.  Nevertheless,  they  have  given  him  a  fame  which 
must  last  as  long  as  youth  and  love  and  disappointment  ex- 
ist in  the  world;  while  the  plays,  which  he  regarded  as  worthy 
of  more  serious  appreciation,  have  passed  into  oblivion. 

The  Lyrical  Interlude  possesses  the  charm  of  the  highest 
lyrical  poetry.  But  it  possesses  also  an  interest  of  a  different 
kind.  In  its  verses  the  author  has  recorded  his  version  of 
his  unfortunate  engagement  to  his  cousin,  Amalie  Heine, 
who  broke  her  vows  and  married  another  man.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  gather  from  these  pages  her  motive  in  dismissing 
him:  various  reasons  are  assigned,  and  possibly  all  of  them 
had  their  weight.     But  while  the  songs    are   worth   little   as 


4  I'lUlFACE. 

a  ret'ord  of  external  laets,  tiiev  are  fascinatino:  as  a  levela- 
lion  oi  a  seiisiiiw  nature  in  the  delights  of  ydiulifnl  love, 
in  the  torment  of  d;  nl)t  and  estrangement,  and  in  ihi'  de- 
si>air   and    vearning   whieli    i"olh)W    reject  ion. 

The  l)o(dc  has  a  deliiiite  plan.  The  single  stanza  at  the 
beginning  asserts  i!iat  the  Avhole  collection  is  a  record  of 
the  author's  exjierienee.  The  earnest  tone  of  these  lines 
is  at  once  abandoned  in  the  prologue,  \\hieli  is  a  Iniinorous 
sketch  t>f  the  atlair  between  the  cousins.  The  lirst  eleven 
of  the  songs  celebrate  the  joys  of  love,  with  occasional 
uotes  of  pain,  like  those  of  tiie  fourth  and  lil'tli.  The  fol- 
lowing four  are  disturbed  :\iili  susiticions  thinlv  veiled  in 
jdayful  forms  of  speech.  This  gritnp  is  succeeded  by  an- 
other of  four  members,  beo-innincr  with  the  eno;aQ:emeiit,  and 
closing  with  the  niari'iage  of  the  woman  to  another  man. 
The  rest  are  poems  of  accusation,  mockery,  yearning,  wit, 
tenderness,  desolation,  and  des[)air,  sc)  intermingled  tliat  the 
reader  is  never  detained  in  any  one  inorxl  long  enough  to 
grow  weary  of  it.  Some  of  these  fall  into  com[)anies,  like 
tlie  fifty-eighth,  lifty-ninlh.  ;iiid  sixtieth,  which  relate  to 
.suicide.  There  arc  a  few  that  yield  (heir  nicaning  oidy 
after  a  little  study,  as.  foi-  examj)le,  the  thirtj^-first,  wliich 
expresses  in   an   ex(]uisite   manner   tiic   hjiiging  (j1"  every   nian 


]'ni:FA(K.  5 

for  tlic  coinpaiiiiiiisliip  dl"  one  woman;  the  fifty-first,  which 
brings  before  lis  the  tlircc  weird  sisters  of  the  northern 
mythohigy;  tlic  lifty-fifth,  in  wliidi  sudness  is  represented 
by  an  assembhio-e  of  images  of  desohition  ;  tlie  liftv-sixth, 
in  whicli  tlie  vast  castle  is  tliis  world,  and  the  donblful 
meeting-  with  the  loved  one  a  scene  from  eternity;  or, 
finally,  the  liity-eightli,  wiiich  presents  two  views  of  suicide, 
that    of   hori'or,    and    that    of    compassion    and    hope. 

I  have  rendered  these  songs  into  Englisli  as  a  means  of 
recreation  in  the  intervals  of  serious  work.  I  could  have 
made  my  version  more  nearly  literal,  but  I  remembered  that 
Dryden  long  ago  cautioned  tlie  translator  against  the  danger 
of  losinof  the  spirit  of  his  autlun'  in  his  chase  after  the  bodv. 
I  know  very  well  that  I  have  often  failed  to  ti'ansfer  the 
subtler  graces  of  Heine  to  my  oavii  tongue;  yet  it  is  not 
improper  for  me  to  say  that  T  have  sought  always  to  kee[) 
before  me  the  felicity  of  his  language,  the  delicacy  of  his 
fancy,  the  high  finish  of  the  miniatures  which  lie  paints, 
the  smoothness  and  melody  of  his  lines,  his  simplicity,  his 
ardor,  his    pathos,  and    his    humor. 

Camiuubgk,  Mass.,  Oct.   8,   1884- 


CONTENTS. 


PAGL 

With  my  Anguish  and  my  Yearning 12 

I'tciuc  Oiinl  uiib  luciiu'  >iku]cn. 

Prologue:  There  once  avas  a  Silent  and  Sokroavful  Knight    .    .    It 

idi  wax  mal  ciu  'JUttcv,  tviibjclii}  uuC>  [tiimm. 


LYRICAL    INTERLUDE. 

I.  'TwAs  in  the  Wondkous  Month  of  May 17 

3m  uniubciid)oncn  SJionat  9.Uai. 

II.  Where  fell,  my  Tears  of  Sorrow 19 

9(ui<  inctncu  !I(n'ancu  fpricf^cit. 

III.  The  Sun,  the  Uove,  the  Liia'.  the  Rose  ........  20 

Sic  9ioic,  Me  ?tljc,  bio  1nuln\  Mc  *2oimc. 

IV.  When  I  ijkhold  thy  Gentle  Eyes 20 

2\?cuu  id)  ill  bcinc  '•}{u(\cn  fci)'. 

V.  I  had  a  Dream,  and  in  the  Air 21 

S)cin  2(nnrfiri)t,  fo  lieb  uiib  id)ci!, 
VI.  Lean  close  thy  Cheek  against  my  Cheek 21 

Sfl)n  bcinc  JlniiuV  an  indiu-  SaiuV. 
VII.  I  WILL  DIP  WITH  Delight  ^rY  Fond  Spirit 22 

3d)  unll  inciiic  3ccli'  taudjcii. 

7 


8  c(>xtl:\ts. 

VIII.  TuK  ir^TAiss  OF  IIkavkn  stam>  Changeless    ......    25 

lie  i'rcl)fu  uulH'UH'iiliil). 

IX.  To  TUK  Ganuks,  o'ki:  Vvllkv8  AM)  ^lorxTAiNs      ....    2(5 

X.  The  Tkxdeii  Lotus  is  troiulei) 28 

Jic  Vote>>blimic  aiuifiuit. 

XI.  Ix  TiiK  Wavks  of  the  Kiiixe,  Faih  Kivek 31 

o!ii  :>il)ciit,  im  )i1)oiu'ii  >2ti-oiiic. 

XII.  Tiiou  Lov'sT  not  mi:,  tuoi-  i,ov'.st  not  mine 32 

Til  licbi't  iiiiil)  iiiilit,   bii  iti'bft  mid)  iuii)t, 

XIII.  O  sweak  not.  Love,  uut  only  kiss 32 

C  id)uun-c  niilit  uiib  fiifie  miv. 

XIV.  Ox  iiEiJ  Eyes  of  Violet ,33 

"Jliif  nidiicv  .''^cv^liebftcii  'Jliindcin. 

XV.  Tell  me,  Deakest,  tell  mk  whether 34 

Vicbftc,  iollft  iniv  bciitr  faiicu. 

XVI.  Fair  as  Vexis  rorn  of  Ocean 35 

ii'ic  bic  i>JcUcii|d)aunuii'bovcuc. 

XVII.   I  po  NOT  hate  tiiee 35 

3rf)  c\vo\ic  iud)t. 

XVIII.  Yes,  Tiior  art  Wj;etciiku 36 

3a,  bit  bift  clciib. 

XIX.  The  Flute  and  the  Viol  ring  cheery 37 

Xnai  ift  ciii  Aliitcn  unh  Ghigen. 

XX.   Hast  thou  forgot  that  I  possest  thee  ? 37 

CO  ()nft  bit  c\an\  iiiib  gnv  wrvficffcn. 

XXI.  If  knew  the  Little  Flowers 38 

Uiib  luiifftcu'^  bic  53(iiincii,  bic  flciiicn. 

XXII.  Why  then  are  the  Roses  so  Wan  of  Hue? 41 

ii'nniin  fiitb  bcnit  bic  9iofcii  fo  binjg? 

XXIII.  A   Thousand  Tales  they  rore  thee 42 

2 if  I)abcii  bir  '43ifl  cv^dl)lct. 

XXIV.  The  Xightingalk  sang  and  the  Linden  bloomed  ...    43 

Xic  Viiibc  bliil)tc,  bic  yjarf)tinnll  faiifl. 


(JOS  TENTH.  9 

XXV.  We  have  eki-t  wmi  k.\<  ii  01111:1;  I. ove's  Fondest  Delight    44 

-|*ou-  l)abcii  'i^ii'l  fiii  ciiiaiiDi'V  (ii-liililt. 

XXVI.  TlIOU    I.ONU    WAST    TKIE,   I    IIEAK    TIIEE    CKYl.Nti         ....      44 

Til  lilii'iK-|t  iiiiv  'treii  am  liiiiiv't-'i!. 
XXVII.   Long  Ti.mk  tiii;  E.\i;tii  witihiki.I)  iiki:  'riiKAsciiEs      .     .     40 
Xic  (Svbi'  unu-  i\t  laUiiL-  iicijui. 

XX VIII.    IlEK  Gextee  Eves  ake  Violets   1]ele 4i» 

Tie  lUniicH  iM'ilii)i'n  bcr  iHiifldciii. 

XXIX.  The  Skv  is  Ui.ik  am>  the  Eakth  is  Faii; 4'J 

Tic  :Si'lt  tft  id  ii1)liii  null  bci-  A^iinnict  'o  blaii. 

XXX.  At  eenotii,  Sweet  Love,  the  Daiiksome  Tomu   .     .     .     .     .JO 

9J{i'iu  fiiiV'vS  'i'leb,  UK-iiii  b!i  im  C^-^xAb. 

XXXI.   A  Pine  Tkee  is  staxdixcj  i.oxklv ...■>] 

Gill  5-id)tnibainn  u.'bt  eiiiimii. 

XX XII.   Ah,  if  I  r.UT  the  Footstool  wi:i;e    .     .  ")4 

^M-],  uiniii  id)  iiiiv  ?a-  5rf)cini.i  wax'. 

XXXIII.  Since  my  Love  xow  loves  me  xot ;"» 

2i'it  bie  Vii'bit:  mar  ciitfonit. 

XXXIV.  P'rom  Pain,  avheiiein  I  languish      .     .  .         .     "w 

3(u-?  tncincu  ^xo\v\\  id)in;v^ciL 

XXXV.  The  Si'nd.vv  (kowd  is  roiitixo 57 

'•4>()ilifteu  ill  2oinitaiVJVorfli'in. 

XXX\'L  The  Forms  of  Ti.mes  FoiUiOTTEX 58 

■Ittaud)  33i(b  Ui'rneii'.'iu'v  ^fitcii. 

XXXXII.  A  Youth  oxce  loved  a  M.viden GO 

(iiu  .siiiuiliiui  licbt  liii  ■.iJuibd)i'n. 

XXX\'I1I.  I  pi;av   riiKK  do  xot  stng  me (51 

S^i'cix'  id)  bii'^  Vicbd)oii  fliiiiii'ii. 
XXXIX.  Ox  Mv  Dkkams  oxce  smiled  a   King's  Faii;  Child.     .     .     02 
5J£iv  traiiiut;  luiii  ciiioin  Mliiiiii-jfiub. 
XL.  O'er  the  Stream  the  Mooxlk.iit  (;loated      .     .  .03 

Diciii  I'icbdii'u,  unv  iaiV.'ii  bcitaiiiiiioii. 
XLI.  From  the  Legends  of  Times  long  before  us    ....     G4 
'JliK^  altiMi  -.I'lavdii'ii  iinuft  c>3. 


10  COXTENl'S. 

XLII.  Yes,  1  have  i.oved  tuee,  and  I  love  thee  still  ...    65 
Od)  Ijnb"  bid)  gclicbft  mib  ticlic  bid)  nod). 

XLlll.    1   STHAY   TIIKOUCJH  THE   BLOOMY   GahDEX 60 

-}[m  Iend)tciibcn  ^oinnimnoviifn. 

XLIV.  Mv  Love,  in  its  Gloom  and  its  Gloky 67 

(i-j  Unid)tct  niciiic  I'icbc. 

XLV.  They  wkixg  me  with  theiu  Torture 68 

2tc  l)abcn  imd)  geqiuilct. 

XLVI.  The  Rosy  Glow  of  Summer 69 

G>j  licgt  bcr  I)ciJ3e  iSommcr. 

XL^'II.  How  oft  when  two  are  parting 69 

iJi*cnn  ^wci  ihmi  ciiuiiibcv  I'djcibcn. 

XLVIII.  They  say  that  my  Songs  are  poisoned 70 

i^cvfliftct  ftnb  niciiic  Vicbcv. 

XLIX.  Again  I  dream  the  Olden  Dream 71 

I'lir  tniiimtc  luicbcv  bcv  alte  Jvaum. 

L.  I  stand  upon  the  Mountain  . 72 

3d)  ftc[)'  auf  bee  33cigcs  2pi|}c. 

LI.  My  Carriage  is  rolling  slowly 75 

•Mcin  3£'ac\cix  voUcl  laugfam. 

LII.    E.VCII    X^IGHT    I    SEE    THY'    FEATURES   SWEET 76 

'i!lllnad)t(id)  im  Xvanmc  ici)'  id^  bid). 

LIIL  'Tis  Dark,  and  the  Kaixs  are  pouring 77 

Xa?  ift  ctn  iBraufcii  unb  §eulcn. 

LIV.  'Tis  a  Frosty  Night  of  Autumn 78 

Xer  .pcrbftrcinb  riittclt  bic  93dumc. 

LV.  A  .Star  to  Earth  is  falling 79 

Gel  faiit  cin  Stern  f)evuntcr. 

LVL  The  Dream-God  brought  me  to  a  Castle  Vast    ...    80 
Xer  Xranmgott  brad)t'  mid)  in  cin  3fic)cnfd)foiv. 

LVII.  The  Midnight  came;  the  Winds  weri;  Stili 83 

Xie  ilUttcrnod)!  roar  talt  unb  ftnmm. 

LVIII.  At  the  Cross-Roads  they  buried 84 

%m  .<tren',n)efl  rcirb  bcgraben. 


CONTENTS.  11 

LIX.  KouND  ME  Mist  and  Midxioiit  Dkeaijy 85 

ii?o  trf)  bin,  iiiicf)  viiuii^  iim&inifdt. 

LX.  NuiiiT  LAY  ui'ox  mini;  Evklids 85 

'jfad)t  lafi  auf  iuctneii  'Jtiiaeii. 

LXl.  The  Old  and  Evil  Numbeks 90 

Xtc  alten,  bofeu  I'tcbev. 


With  my  aiiguisli  and  my  yearn- 


ing 


I  have  iilh'(l  the  book  thou  liold- 
^^  est; 

^"\     And,  \\hilst   thou  the   leaves   art 
tiininig, 

Know    that    thou    my    heart    uii 
fohlest. 


PROLOGUE. 


THERE  ONCE  WAS  A  SILENT  AND  SORROWFUL  KNIGHT. 

(Si3  luar  mat  ciu  :'}iitta-,  tviibfclii]  iuil)  jtuium. 

There  once  was  a  silent  'and  sorrowful  knio-Ut 
Whose  pale  (dieeks  were  gaunt   with  deep  hollows: 
He  tottered,   far-gazing,  with  nothing  in   sight, 
As  one  wiio  some  vain  vision  follows ; 
So  stupid  lie  was,  and  so  clumsy  and  queer, 
That  the  llowers  and  the  girls,  when  they  saw  him  appear. 
Broke  out  into  laughter  around  him. 

And  oft  would  he  sit  in   liis  dim  little  room. 
Afar  from  the  cruel  world  stavino'. 

And  stretch  forth  with  longing  his  arms  throuoii  the  o-loom, 
But  never  a  syllable  saying. 

And  once,  while  at  midnio-ht  thus  reachino-  about. 
There  came  a  weird  singing  and  riugiug  without. 
And   he  heard  at  his  door  a   sti'ange   knocking. 

13 


14  HEIXE->    LYRICAL    IXTEIILIDE. 

Then  in  swept  ;i   i'airv  who  loved  the  dull  knight, 
Her  robes  of  the  sea-foam,  long-flowing. 
Her  wide  veil  with  many  a  diamond  bright, 
Her  faee  like  a  ruddy  rose  glowing, 
Her  oolden  hair  fallino-  in  waves  to  her  feet: 
A  moment  their  eyes  met,  with  rapture  replete, 
When  they  Huno-  their  fond  arms  round  each  other. 

She  held  the  knight  fast  in  a  tender  embrace, 
Till  his  heart  beat  and  beat  like  a  hammer; 
Tlie  dreamer  aroused,  and  grew  red  in  the  face, 
The  timid  forgot  liow  to  stammer; 
And  while  he  knew  naught  but  his  blissful  surprise, 
The  fairy  cast  cunningly  over  his  eyes 
Her  magical  veil  Ijright  witli  jewels. 

To  a  crystalline  palace  of  water  the  knight 
By  spells  of  enchantment  was  carried, 
And  stared  in  wild  W(jnder,  half-blinded  with  light, 
Wirde  long  in  its  splendor  he  tarried. 
The  fairy  caressed  him,  iier  joy  and  her  pride. 
And  lie  was  the  bridegroom  and  she  was  the  bride, 
Wliile  her  maidens  played  sweetly  the  zither. 


HEINE'S    LYUKAL    I .XTEIIIA'DE.  15 

The  strains  which  they  iiuuh'   were  so  soft  and  so  glad, 
And   llieir  (hmees  so   c;-i'arei"nl   ;in<l   iiiry, 
'I'hat  ihe   kniglit  alniosl    l<.si    what    [Kxir  senses  he  liad, 
And   knew   but  to   eling  to   the   hury :  — 
When  k),  all   the  lights  Avere  pnt  out  at  a  stroke, 
And  the  knight  from   his  hliss  and   his  glory  awoke, 
At  home,   in  his  dim  ])oet's  chamber. 


J 


u 


LYRICAL    INTERLUDE. 


'TWAS  IN  THE  WONDROUS  MONTH  OF  MAY. 
3iu  2I>nnbericf)oncu  ??tonat  93cai. 

'T  WAS    ill    tlie    wondrous    month    of   Ma}', 
"Wlien    ])U(ls    were    bursting    round    me, 
That    first    love    stole    upon    my   soul, 
And    in    its    meshes    hcnind    me. 

17 


18 


IIEIXES    LYRICAL    IXTEIiUDE. 


"T  was    in    the    "wondrous    month    of   Mav, 
When    birds   sang   sweet    aljove    me, 
That    first,    grown    bold,    my    pain    1    told, 
And    heard    her    vows    to    love    me. 


UEISE  -S    I.  YIIK  A  L    LXTIJtL  IJDE. 


Vd 


II. 

WHERE  FELL  MY  TEARS  OF  SORROW. 

'?(ui>   tncincn  If)vam'n  ipvief^'ii. 
Where   fell    my   tears   of  sorrow 
All   flowers    of  beauty    spring. 
And    for   the    slshs    T    uttered 


Are    niglitingales    that   sing. 


Since    thou    dost    love    nie,    dear    one, 
Tlie    flowers    to    thee    I    luing, 
And    ever    by    thy    window 
Tlic    niu'htinq-ales    shall    sing. 


20  HEIXE-S   LYRICAL   IM'EllLUDE. 

HI. 

THE  SUN,  THE  DOVE,  THE  LILY,  THE  ROSE. 

Xie  Oioi""-''  ^ic  Vilic,  bie  S^aubc,  bic  3onne. 
The  sun,  the  dove,  the  lily,  the  rose, 
1  loved  with  a  joy  that  no  words  can  disclose ; 
But  I  love  now  more  dearly  a  maiden  the  rarest: 
The  pretty,  the  witty,  the  fondest,  the  fairest, 
"Whose  graces  and  goodness  no  words  can  disclose. 
Is  my  sun,  my  dove,  my  lily,  my  rose. 

IV. 

WHEN  I  BEHOLD  THY  GENTLE  EYES. 

SBenn  id)  \\\  bcine  3(ugen  fe()'. 
When    I   behold  thy  gentle   eyes 
I    lose    my   grief  and    hush    my    sighs ; 
But   when    thy   rosy   mouth    I   kiss 
My    heart   is   strong   and    full    (d"  bliss. 

When    I   repose    upon    thy   breast 
I    know   the   peace    of   heavenly    rest; 
But    when    tliy    voice    thy    passion    owns 
I    woep   to   hoar   tlie    formal    tones. 


HEINE '^   LYIUCAL   INTERLUDE.  21 


V. 

I  HAD  A  DREAM,  AND  IN  THE  AIR. 
■Dein  5Iu(jel'id)t,  fo  lieb  iml)  )d)on. 

I    HAD   a   dieaiii,    and   in    the   air 
I    saw    thy   face    serene    and   fair, 
And    as   an   angel's    mild   and   meek ; 
And    wan    with    pain    were    brow    and    cheek.     . 

Thy   lips   are    rose    set   round   with   snow; 
And    soon,    death-kist,    the    rose    must   go, 
And   all   the    light    of    Heaven    displayed 
Upon   thy   gracious   eyes   must   fade. 

VI. 

LEAN  CLOSE  THY  CHEEK  AGAINST  MY  CHEEK. 

?ef)n  beine  2i?nnfl'  nn  meine  25}ant]'. 

Lean   close    thy    cheek   against   my   cheek, 
That   our   tears   together   ma}^   blend,    love, 
And    press    thy   heart   upon    my   heart. 
That   from    both    one    flame   may   ascend,    love. 


.->••> 


11EL\E  -S   L  YRi  LA  L   IXTERL I  '])E. 

And    while    in    lliai    llame    llius    (l(iubl\     luiwht 
Our    tears    art'    lalliii<«-    ami    tlirctiio-inu- 
Ami    wliik'    ill    \\\\    aims    I    clasp    lliee    li'>lil, 
I    will    ili(>    wiili    love    and    IdiiLi'ino-. 


VII. 
I  WILL  DIP  WITH  DELIGHT  MY  FOND  SPIRIT. 

■3d)  uiill  mciiic   2cclc  taud)en. 

I    WILL  di]i   \\illi   delight   my   fond   spirit 
In    the    dejiths   oT    this    lily's    while    hell, 
And   the  lily  shall   breathe,  that  she   hear  it, 
^V  >i'ii;4  of   the  (Jiie   I  love  well. 

And  I  he  song,  with  faint  i)erfume,  shall  (jiiiver 
()\\   tlie  tremulous  lips  of   the  flower, 
Like  the  kiss  1   shall   carry  forever, 
J  hat   she  t^ave  mo  one  raptnions  honr. 


ffmi^Ximiii;^^^^^^^^^^^ 


'M 


UEiyE'S   lAlllCAL    IX'i  ElilJ  UE. 


26 


VIII. 

THE  STARS  OF  HEAVEN  STAND  CHANGELESS. 

(Si3  fteljen  uubciiieglid). 

The  stars  of  heaven  stand  changeless 
For  many  thonsand  years, 
And  gaze  on  one  another 
With  all  love's  l)lissfnl  fears. 

They  have  one  speech  among  them, 
Most  rich  and  full  of  grace : 
Yet  none  of  all  the  linguists 
Its  meaning  knows  to  trace. 

But  I  have  learned  the  language, 
And  speak  it  evermore, 
For  I  have  had  for  giannnar 
Tlie  face  that  I  adore. 


'2U  IlElM-r^S    LYRICAL    lyTEllLLDE. 


IX. 

TO  THE  GANGES.  O'ER  VALLEYS  AND  MOUNTAINS. 

To    IIr'    Ciaiiges,    o'er    valleys    and    niouiitaiiis, 
\)\\    llie    jtiniuns    of   song    let    us    soar, 
.;\iid    dwell    amid    bowers   and    iuuntains. 
Where    sorrow    sliall    trouble    no    more. 

1    know   there   a    pleasannce    red-blooiiiing 
And    wide    under    moon-silvered    skies: 
And    tlic    lotus,    its    lakelet    pert'nming, 
Waits   lono"    for    liei-    sister,    and    sio'hs. 

I 

There    are    violets    tenderly    smiling 
To    the    star  studded    heavens    above. 
And    roses    tlie    senses    beguiling 
A-;    (lie\     liicathe    fraorant    stories    of   love. 

Tlicre    the    hajiiiy    leaves    rustle    and  (juiver; 
The     oetitle    gazelles    nimbly     boniKl  ; 


HEINE  -S   L  YU 1 CA  L   INTER  I  I  'DE. 

And    the    waves   of  ilic  ((insecrate  river 
Lull    the    ear    with    Ihcii-    iiiiinimnnis    sfmud. 

And    there    will    we    rest,    with    loud    kisses. 
At    the    foot    of   some    hio-h-braiichiiig    palm, 
And    driid-:    to    our    lill    of   love's    blisses 
111    a   clime   ot    jierennial    calm. 


27 


28  HEINE  6   LYRICAL   INTERLUDE. 


X. 

THE  TENDER  LOTUS  IS  TROUBLED. 

Tie  Votocblimie  aiuiftii]t. 

Tin-:   tender   lotus   is   troubled 
By    the    pomp    of  the    sun's   fierce    light, 
And   she    bows   her   head    and   slumbers 
And   dreams   of  the    comino-  nioht. 

The    moon   is   lier   favored   wooer, 
And    she    wakes    when    hu    shines    on    her   gloom, 
And    fondly   unvails   to   his   glances 
Her   holy   face    of  bloom. 

She   blows   and    blushes   and   brightens, 
And    iTi^zes   in    silence    above. 
And    sighs   and    weeps    and    trembles 
For   love    and   the    pain    of  love. 


-^     'i-  -._J»^-,      .^ 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    IMLRLUDE.  31 


XI. 

IN  THE  WAVES  OF  THE  RHINE,  FAIR  RIVER. 
■3m  'Ji()ciii,  im  fdjoncn  Stvome. 

In   the    waves   of  the    Rhine,    fair   river, 
By   the-  sacred    cit}',    Cologne, 
Forever   play    and   quiver 
The    cathedral's   spires   of  stone. 

In   that    minster   vast   and   olden 
A   sainted   picture   stands. 
And    it    casts   a   radiance   golden 
O'er   my    life's    drear    waste    of  sands. 

Midst   angels   bending   lowly 
Appears   our    Lady    of   Grace, 
And   all   her   features   holy 
Are    those    of  thy   gentle    face. 


32  HEIXE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE. 


Xll. 

THOU  LOV'ST  NOT  ME.  THOU  LOV'ST  NOT  MINE. 

Xu  liclift  mid)  nid)t,  bit  licbft  mid)  uid)t. 

"Thou   lov"st   not   me,  thou   lov'st  not  mine"  — 
Tliese   jests   do    not    alarm    me, 
For    I    bi'hold    that    face    of  thine, 
Ami    thou  dost   only    charm    me. 

"  Thou  hatest,   hatest   me  and   mine "  — 

Thy   rosy   lips   would    fright  me ; 

But   let   me    kiss   those    lips  of  thine. 

And   they   will    still    delight  me. 


XIII. 

0  SWEAR  NOT,  LOVE,  BUT  ONLY  KISS. 

O  \d]m'6xi  ind)t  unb  in]]i  nnv. 
O    SWKAU    not,    love,    hut   only   kiss; 
I    trust    no    woman's    vow    at    all. 
Thy    words    are    sweet,    hut    sweeter   is 
The    little    mouth   from    which   they   fall. 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    INTERLUDE.  33 

A    kiss    is    something    to    beliuve, 

But    words    arc    bieatli,  and    words   deceive. 

O    swear,    my    love,    tliat    tliou    art    mine! 
For    in    thy    simple    word   1   rest ! 
When    on    thy   bosom    I    recline 
I    trust   that   I    am    iully   blest! 
No    doubt   for  me    thy   heart   shall    thrill  — 
Forever,   and    much   longer   still ! 


XIV. 

ON  HER  EYES  OF  VIOLET. 
5luf  nicincr  iper^Ucdfteii  'JtiiL]eIein. 

Ox  her   ej'es   of  violet 
I    will   make    a   canzonet ; 
On    her   moutli    red-ripe    and   small 
I    will    make   a   madrigal  ; 
And    if  she   a   heart    possest 
In   her   coldly   heaving   breast 
I    would    sing   it   all    day   long 
In    a    hii]ip3%   happy   song. 


:34  HEIAE'S   LYRICAL   IM'ERLUDE. 


XV. 

TELL  ME,  DEAREST,  TELL  ME  WHETHER. 
Vicbfte,  fodft  mil  fjcutc  fac]i'u. 
Tell   me,    dearest,   tell    me   whether 
Tliou    art    but    a    vision    fair 
Such    as,    in    the    summer    leather. 
Poets    fancy    in    the    air. 

Na}-,   a    mouth   so    honev-hiden, 
Eyes    of   fire    so    bright    and    warm, 
Such    a   sweet    and    lovely   maiden, 
Never   poet   knew   to    form. 

Basilisks   and    vampires   gory, 
Monsters   vast    of  every   name, . 
Evil    beasts    of  ancient    story. 
Issue    from    the    i)oet's   flame. 

But   thy   face   so   falsely   gracious, 
And    thy    form    without    a    heart, 
And    thy    witching   eyes   fallacious, 
Far   surpass   all    poet's   art. 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    IMEIiLUDE. 


XVI. 

FAIR  AS  VENUS  BORN  OF  OCEAN. 
3Bic  bic  ii3eUcufd}auuu]ebovcnc. 
Fair   as   Venus   burn    of  ocean 
Is   the    maiden    once    niy    pride 
As    she    wanders    Avitli    dev(jtion 
At    yon    happy    stranger's    side. 

Heart,   my  heart,    though    doomed    to    Languish, 
Though    betrayed    and  set    at   nought, 
Bear    and    pardon    all    tlie    anguish 
That   the  lovely    fool    has   wrought. 


XVIT. 

I  DO  NOT  HATE  THEE, 

x)d)  c]rof(c  nid]t. 
I   DO   not   hate    thee,    thougji   this   moan    I   make ; 
I   will  not   hate    thee,   though    my    heart    should  break. 
Thy    brow    with    pomp    of  diamonds   is   bright, 
But    shines    no    ray   upon    thy    soul's   deep    night. 


36  HEIXirS    TA'UICAL    IXTERLVDE. 

I    knew    it   litii<:r.     In    Jieanis    I    saw    it   all : 
I   saw    tlie    starless   darkness    on    tliee   fall; 
I   saw    I  he    ser[)ents   gnawing    in    thy   breast  ; 
And   knew   that   thou   should'st    nevermore    liave    rest. 


XVllI. 
YES,  THOU  ART  WRETCHED. 

Oa,  bii  (lift  clcub. 
Yes,  thou  art  wretched,  and  this  moan  I  make 
Mv  lost,  lost  love,  we  both  must  live  in  pain: 
Till  kindly  death  owv  stricken  hearts  shall  break, 
Mv  love,  lienceforth  we  both  must  live  in  pain. 

I  see  thy  silent  lips  with  scorn  comprest ; 
I  see  thine   eyes  flame  out  their  fierce  disdain ; 
I  see  the  pride  that  lieaves  within  thy  1)reast :  — 
But  thou,  as  I,  henceforth  must  live  in  pain. 

Thy  griefs  npon  tliy  pale  face  come  and  go; 
Thine  inward  tears  thou  scarcely  canst  restrain  ; 
Thy  haughty  bosom  hides  a  world  of  woe  :  — 
My  love,  henceforth  we  both  must  live  in  pain. 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  37 


XIX. 

THE  FLUTE  AND  THE  VIOL  RING  CHEERY. 

-Diu^  ift  cin  J^-Iotai  imb  Oict.qcn. 
The   flute   and   tlie   viol    ring   chceiv, 
And   shrill   aro    the    triunpet's   notes, 
And    light   through    her   bridal-dance    merry 
The    form    of   my    lost    one    floats. 

I   hear   the    wild    ujiroar   and    clamor 
Of  cornet   and   kettle-drum ;  — 
And   then,    as   the   temjiest   grew   calmer, 
The   sobs   of  good   angels    come. 


XX. 

HAST  THOU  FORGOT  THAT  I  POSSEST  THEE. 
(So  ^aft  bit  pan^  itnb  cjar  bcrqcffen. 

Hast  thou  forgot  that  I  possest  thee, 
And  often  to  my  bosom  prest  thee. 
And  swayed  thy  heart  so  sweet  and  false  and  small 
That  sweeter,  falser,  there  is  none  at  all? 


38  HEIXirS   LYRICAL   ISTERLUDE. 

Hast  thou  forgot  that  I  possest  thee, 
And  oft  with  h)ve  and  pain  carest  thee? 
I  know  not  wliich  was  greater,  love  or  pain  ; 
I  know  that  both  were  great,  as  both  were  vain. 


XXI. 

IF  KNEW  THE  LITTLE  FLOWERS, 

Hub  juu[iten't>  bie  i^hunen,  bie  fleinen. 
If    knew    the    little    llowers 
How   bleeds   my   wounded    heart, 
They   would    weep    in    balmy   showers 
To    heal    me    of  my   smart. 

If  knew   the   birds   far-flying 
The   griefs   that   in    me    throng, 
They   would    haste    to    hear    my   sighing, 
And    comfort    me    with    song. 

If  knew   the   stars   of  even 
The   pangs   that   fill    my  breast, 
They   would   leave   their   golden    heaven 
To    tell    me   of  its   rest. 


HEINE'S   JAIIKJAL    1  .XTERIJ: Li:.  41 

These    cainiot   see    the    luiguish ; 
One    only    knows    my    pain  ; 
But    'tis    she    that   bade    hk-    hinguish 
And   rent   my    heart    in    twain. 


XXII. 

WHY  THEN  ARE  THE  ROSES  SO  WAN  OF  HUE? 
2Barum  finb  benu  bie  9tofcn  i"o  b(a|'5? 

Why  then  are  the  roses  so  wan  of  hue  ? 
My  loved  one,  canst  thou  tell? 
And  why  in  the  grass  do  the  violets  blue 
Give  forth  no  goodly  smell  ? 

Why  then  sings  the  lark  a  dirge  of  deatli 
Among  the  leaden  clouds  ? 
And  why  is  the  meadow-balsam's  breath 
An  odor  as  of  shrouds? 

Why  then  is  the  sun  so  pale  and  cold, 
And  its  light  l)ut  a  golden  gloom  ? 
And  why  has  the  earth  grown  gray  and  old, 
And  dreary  as  a  tomb? 


HEIXE  -S   L  rniCA  L    L\  TEH L I  DE. 

Why   tlu'ii    is   my   lie;nt   so   lorn  and   tost, 
Like  rt  tenipest-liaiiied  sea? 
O,   tell   nie.   tliou   iiiaiJen   loved  and  lost 
Why   thou   hast   turned   I'roni  nie? 


Will. 

A  THOUSAND  TALES  THEY  BORE  THEE. 

5ie  I)a(ien  Mr  i!^io[  er;a()(ct. 
A    THOUSAND   tales   they   bore   thee, 
And    oft    of   nie    conijilained. 
But    never    set    before    thee 
What   most    my   soul    has   jDained. 

With    noisy   tongues    they   blamed   me, 
And    shook    their    heads    as   grieved, 
And    as   a   Avretch    defamed   me, 
And    thou    hast    all    believed. 

Yet   far    the   saddest   folly 
They    never    have   revealed ; 
The    saddest    and    the    maddest 
Is    in    my    heart    concealed. 


HEINE 'S   L  YRK  A  A    IXTEliL  I  1)E. 


43 


f"^ 


^;.<^\ 


XXIV. 


'M'y  /  'J-^     ^^g  NIGHTINGALE  SANG  AND 

THE  LINDEN  BLOOMED. 
Xic  Vinbc  b(iU)tc,  Mc  ':)cncl)tiqal(  fauq. 
a  \.#*^,  X  ^.: ^>^  .^v         Xhe  uiglitingale  sang  and  the  linden 

bloomed. 
And  the  sun  smiled  kind  as  an   angel 

blest, 
And  she  gave  me  a  kiss  with  her  breath 

perfumed, 
And  she  strained  me  close  to  her  heav- 
insf  breast. 


The   raven    croaked    hoarse    and    the    brown 
leaves  fell. 
And  the  sun  sent  forth  but  a  sickly  shade. 
And  we  said  to  each  other  a  cold  farewell. 
And  a  courtesy  stately  and  courtly  she  made. 


44  HEiyE-S   LYRICAL   IM'ERLUDE. 


XXV. 

WE  HAVE  FELT  WITH  EACH  OTHER  LOVE'S  FONDEST 

DELIGHT. 

:Ji^ii  l)abcn  ^mcI  fiti-  ctnaubcr  iicfiil)tt. 
We  Juive  felt  with  each  other  love's  fondest  delidit. 
And  yd  most  diseieetl}-  oiiiselves  we  have  carried: 
2s  (J  one  ever  knew  us  to  scratch  or  to  fight, 
Though  at  Husband  and  Wife  we  have  played,  as  if  married; 
And  often  with  glee  we  have  shouted  and  laughed, 
Anil  tlie  sweet  cuj)  of  kisses  together  have  quaffed. 
At  last  in  our  childish  diversion  we  came 
To  playing  Go  Seek  in  the  wood  and  the  glen, 
And  we  managed  to  hide  us  so  well  in  the  game 
That  we  never  shall   find  one  another  again. 

XXVI. 

THOU  LONG  WAST  TRUE,  I  HEAR  THEE  CRYING. 
Xit  [ihebcft  mir  treu  am  tciiiflftcn. 
Tnou    long   wast   true,    I   hear   thee    crying: 
Aly    name   thou    hast   defended 
When    I    was    all    luilVi ended, 
And    comforted    my    pain    and    sighing. 


HEINE'S    f.Vn/iAL    INTERLUDE.  45 

The    daily    breud    1    atu    tliou    bouglitest, 
Thy    money  thou    didst    lend  me, 
My   passport   tliou    didst   send    me, 
The    very   shirt    I    wore    thou    wioughtest. 

jNIy   love,    for   this   may    God  well   guard   thee 
From    heat   and    cold   forever;  — 
And   may    His   justice    never 
Thy   many   goodnesses   reward   thee  ! 


46  HEiyE-:<  LYRICAL  INTERLUDE. 


XXVII. 

LONG  TIME  THE  EARTH  WITHHELD  HER  TREASURES. 

5^ic  (ijvbe  wax  fo  laiuic  i]c\(u-\. 

LoN(;  time  tlie  earth  withheld  her  treasures ; 
l>ui    May   brought   wealtli  to  liehl  and  tahle, 
And  all  men  laughed  with  new-liorn  jjleasures, 
Wiiilc   I   to  smile   was  all   unable. 

Though  tlowers  sprang  fresh  each  dewy  morrow, 
Though  birds  spake  out  as  in  some  fable. 
Naught  pleased  my  soul,  for  cruel  sorrow 
Had  wra[>t  me  in  her  mantle  sable. 

I  shun  the  whole  wide  race  of  Adam  ; 
I   cannot  bear  the  world's  loud  babel :  — 
And  all  because  they  call   thee  Madam, 
( )  woman  lovely  as  unstable. 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    INTERLUDE.  49 


XXVIII. 

HER  GENTLE  EYES  ARE  VIOLETS  BLUE. 
Tic  bUiueii  33eild)eii  bei  I'duiclein. 

Hei:   gentle   eyes   are   violets    blue, 
Her   cheeks    red   roses    washed    with    dew, 
Her    hands    white    lilies    opened   new: 
These    l)looni    and    hloom    from    year   to   year. 
Her   heart   alone    is    old    and    sere. 


XXIX. 

THE  SKY  IS  BLUE  AND  THE  EARTH  IS  FAIR. 
J)ie  liBett  ift  fo  fcfjLht  unb  bcr  .'pimmrl  fo  Man. 

The  sky  is  blue  and  the  earth  is  fair, 
And  softly  breathes  the  summer  air. 
And  fields  are  pied  witli  blossoms  rare, 
And  mornino"  dew-drops  glint  and  glare, 
And  men  are  joyous  everywhere; 

Yet  would  we  might  leave  sweet  world  and  sweet  weather 
And  lie  in  one  grave  close  nestled  together. 


50  HEIXES  LYRICAL   lyTERLLDE. 

XXX. 

AT  LENGTH,  SWEET  LOVE,  THE  DARKSOME  TOMB. 

ih'eiii  fiiiu'C'  I'ieb,  iiicim  iMi  iai  (inal'. 
At  length,  sweet  love,  the  daiksonie  toinl) 
From  other  eyes  shall  hide  thee. 
And   I   will  seek  thee  in  the  o-looni. 
And  nestle  close  beside  thee. 

And   I   ^\■ill  joy  tt)  kiss  thy  face. 
And  tremhle  while  I  press  thee. 
And  weej*  with  thee  in  my  embrace, 
And  die,  and  thus  possess  thee. 

The  dead   may  hear  the  midnight  call. 
And  dance  on  sward  and  heather, 
lint  we  beneath  onr  grassy  pall    . 
Will  .shnnbei'  on  together. 

The  dead  sliall   hear  the  trumpet  sound. 
And   rise  to  joy  oi-  sorrow  : 
I)Ut  (ill,  to  clasp  thee  in  the  groutid 
Tliron^di   in'idit   without  a   morrow! 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  53 


XXXL 

A  PINE  TREE  IS  STANDING  LONELY. 
(Sin  ^tdjteuOaum  ftefjt  ciu[am. 

A  PINE  tree  is  standing  lonely 
In  tlie  North  on  a  barren  height : 
It  sleeps ;    and  its  boughs  the  snow-drifts 
Enfold  in  robes  of  white. 

It  dreams  there  of  a  palm  tree 
That  afar  in  an  Eastern  land 
Alone  and  in  silence  sorrows 
On  a  burning  waste  of  sand. 


UEiyi:  -6    L  \ -III CAL    ly  1 ERL  UDE. 


xxxir. 

AH,  IF  I  BUT  THE  FOOTSTOCL  WERE. 

•iKd),  mcuu  id)  nnv  bcr  3d)i';iicl  luilv". 

{The  licad  Hpeaha^ 
All.    ii"   ]    but   tlie   footstool   were 
'NVlieroou'  licr    small    feet    daily    rest, 
I    never    Would    ciunplaiu    to    her,  ^ 

However   liard    I    miglit    be    prest. 

{The  heart  speaks.') 
W\.    il"    J    but    the    cushion    were 
AMieieiii    her    pius    and    needles    sleep, 
i    would    but   joy    the    more    of  her 
If  slie    should   i)ieree    me    oft    and    deep. 

{Tlie  aomj  speaha.) 
All.    if    T    but    the    paper    were 
Wliei-ein    slie    curls    her    silken    hair, 
Tlien    would    I    nestle    close    to  her 
And    \vljisi)er   all    tlie    love   I    iK'ar. 


HEINE'S    LVniCAL    LXlEnLLDE.  55 


XXXI II. 

SINCE  MY  LOVE  NOW  LOVES  ME  NOT. 

3i'it  Me  Vicbftc  wax  cutfciiit. 
Since   my   love    now   loves    me    not, 
lluw    lo    lauL;h    I    have    lorgot ; 
Jests    no    more    my    griefs    beguile, 
For    1    cannot,    cannot   .smile. 

Since    my    love    now    loves    me    not. 
Mow    to    weep    1    have    forgot  ; 
Broken    is    my    heart    with    woe, 
lint    my   tears    refuse    to    flow. 


XXXIV. 

FROM  PAIN,  WHEREIN  I  LANGUISH. 

"2(11^^  mciuen  civollcn  2cf)inor^eii. 
From   pain,   wherein    I    languish, 
]\Iy   little    songs    I    utter, 
And    their    rustlino-    wings    thev    flutter 
And    l)ear    her    mv    tale    of   anguish. 


66 


HEINES   LYRICAL    IMEULUDE. 


They    find    her  heart,    but   stay    not: 
Thev    come    asrain    witli    siijhinfj, 
They    come    again    with    crying; 
Yet   what    they    have   seen    they   say   not. 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  o7 


XXXV. 

THE  SUNDAY  CROWD  IS  POURING. 

t^l)ilifter  in  3onnta()^iocfletn. 
The   iSuiiday    eruwd    is  pouring, 
Gay  dressed,    through    woods    and    fields, 
With    leaps    and    shouts    exploring 
The    charms   fair    Nature    yields, 

With    ej'es    of   owls   wise-l)linlving 
At   all    romantic   things, 
With   ears    of  asses    drinking 
The   song   the    sparrow    sings. 

But   I    my   room    will    darken, 
And    shut   me    from    the    noise, 
And    in    the    gloom    will    hearken 
A    haunting    spirit-voice. 

For    thus    in    fancy    often 
My    love    of   otlier    years 
Comes   back    my    licart    to    soften 
Willi    her    r('[)entant    tears. 


58 


!IEL\E-S    1.  Vine  A  L    L\  TKlil.  I  ])£. 


XXXVI. 

THE  FORMS  OF  TIMES  FORGOTTEN, 

Till':    forms   of   times  foro-otten 
FiYiiii    out    tlieir   grave    arise, 
And    sli(y\v   \m)\x    once    I    son-owed 
Before    tli}-    cruel   eyes. 


By   day    I    tottered    dreaming 
Along   this   l)usy   street, 
Whose    people    paused    in    wonder 
So  sad    a    man    to    meet. 


iii:l\e-s  i.ynicAL  imeiiudk.  59 

By    iiiglit    my    case    was    better, 
For    tliL'ii    llie    ways    were    clear, 
While    willi    my    raitlii'ul    shadow 
I    wall<c(l    ill    silence    here. 

Across    the    bridge    i    sauntered; 
INIy    footsteps    echoed    loud; 
And    solemnly    the    mnonbeams 
Looked    down    thrdngli    brDlv'cn    cloud. 

1  stood    before    thv    dwelling', 
And   gazed    and   gazed    above, 
And    saw    thy    frowning    window 
In   pain   of   hopeless    love. 

I    know    that    thou  hast    often 

Looked    out    through  moonlight    fair, 

And   seen    me    silent  standing, 
A   statue    of   desjiair. 


GO 


/iA'AVA-.s-   LYRICAL   INTERLUDE. 


XXXVJi. 

A  YOUTH  ONCE  LOVED  A  MAIDEN. 

Gin  3iinglin(]  (icbt  eiu  93uibd)cn. 
A   YOUTH   once   loved   a    maiden 
Who   for   another   sighed , 
That   other   loved   another,     . 
And  she    became    his   bride. 


Tlie    maiden    wed   in    anger 
The   very    first    kind    beau 
Who    met    her    witli    an    offer, 
And    left   the   youth    in    woe. 


IIEIXE\S  LYRICAL  INTERLUDE.  61 

It   is    an    ancient   stoiy, 
And    vet   forever   new ; 
And   always  wlien    this    happens 
A   heart   is    torn    in    two. 


XXXVIII. 

I  PRAY  THEE  DO  NOT  SING  ME. 
v^or'  id)  ba^  ?iebcf)en  f(tm]en. 
I  PRAY  thee  do  not  sing  me 
That  old  familiar  strain ; 
The  songs  she  used  to  carol  bring  me 
But  memories  of  pain. 

And  filled  with  gloomy  yearning, 
I  seek  the  forest  deep, 

And  find,  while  tears  fall  thick  and  burning, 
The  peace  of  them  that  weep. 


62  HEINE'S   LYRICAL    LXTEU Lr DE. 


XXXIX. 

ON  MY  DREAMS  ONCE  SMILED  A  KING'S  FAIR  CHILD. 

::\liiv  tviiiiiutc  luni  ciiiom  Moniqcfiub. 
On   my   dveains  once  t^iiiiU'd   a   king's  fair  child, 
Willi  iVaturcs  sad  and  pallid. 

And  she  heard  my   vows  'neath   the  linden   houi^lis. 
Where  in  love's  delight  we  dallied. 

"•I   \\()uld   not  oAvn   thy   father's  thro)ie, 
Xor  the  sceptred  gold  before  him. 
Nor  the  stones  that  gem   liis  diadem  ; 
But  for  thee  I  shall  implore  him." 

"  Tt  may  not  he."  she  answered    me. 
"For   I   lie  in   the  graveyard  lonely; 
IliiL  at  nighl    I   am   free,  and  will   e(jme   to   thee, 
For  I  love  thee,  love  thee  only." 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  63 


XL. 

O'ER  THE  STREAM  THE  MOONLIGHT  GLOATED, 

9Jceiu  Vicbd)eu,  uuv  fajfuMi  bcifaiiniicu. 

O'er  the  streain  the  luooiiliiiiit  u'loated, 
And  down  [just  Inink  iiiid   hiay 
111  our  boat  well-pleased  we  floated 
Afar  on  our  watery  way. 

The  isles  of  the  blest  before  us 
Lay  dim  in   the  paU;   moon's  glauee, 
And  we  heard  a  happy  chorus. 
And  we  saw  faint  inist-forms  dance. 

And  the  strains  o-rew  sweet  and  sweeter, 
And  the  mists  more  fair  and  glad  ; 
But  we  left  them,  sailing  fleeter, 
For  this  ocean,  wide  and  sad. 


64  HEISES   LYRILAL    INTERLUDE. 


XLI. 

FROM  THE  LEGENDS  OF  TIMES  LONG  BEFORE  US. 

Fiio.M  the  leu:eiids  of  times  loiiq;  before  us 
There  beckons  a  pale  spectral  hand, 
And  tliere  lloats  on  the  air  a  soft  cliorus, 
The  sounds  of  a  nuifjical  land, 


o 


Where  flowers  stand  vast  in  the  splendor 
That  Hushes  the  evening-tide, 
And  yearn  Avitli  an  aspect  as  tender 
As  the  niild-beaniinof  face  of  a  bride, 


'o 


Wliere  the  trees  of  the  vales  and  the  mountains. 
Like  a  holy  choir,  solemnly  sing, 
And  tlie  chimes  of  a  myriad  fountains 
Like  tlie  notes  of  a  merry  waltz  ring. 

Where  tlie  love-songs  breathe  only  of  pleasure, 
And  are  sweet  as  thou  never  hast  heard, 
Till   with  longings  divine  beyond  measure 
The  heart  is  enra])tni('d  and  stirred. 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    INTERLUDE.  65 

Then    oli,    Un-   tliat   l)i-ii;lil    land  of  stoiy, 
And  (ill,  for  its  clieer  and  its  rest, 
Where  all  darkness  is  turned  into  glory, 
And  the  soul  witli  full  freedom  is  blest. 

All,  land   without  sio-hino;  and   sorrow. 
In  my  dreams  through  thy  scenes  I  oft  roam ; 
But  alas,  with  the  dawn   of  each  morrow 
The  vision  dissolves  like  the  foam. 


XLII. 

YES,  I  HAVE  LOVED  THEE,  AND  I  LOVE  THEE  STILL 

3d)  ^tiC>'  bid)  i^chebet  nub  (iede  bid)  nod) 
Yes,  I  have  loved  thee,  and  I  love  thee  still ; 
And  when  the  worlds  shall  end  with  wild  commotion, 
Above  the  waste  of  wreck  and  ruin  will 
Arise  and  shine  the  flame  of  my  devotion. 


GO 


HEiyE'ii   LYRIC AL   INTERLUDE. 


XLIII. 

I  STRAY  THROUGH  THE  BLOOMY  GARDEN. 
5{iu  (cud)tcnben  (Sommeimoicieu. 
I    STKAV    tliroiiCTli    the    blouinv    garden 
111    the    gk)W   of  the    morning   clear, 
And    tlie    flowers   begin    to   w]iis.per, 
And    I    licjlitlv   tread,    and   liear. 


The    flowers   begin    to    wliisper. 
And    my  face    with   pity    scan 
''  Be    not   unkind   to    our   sister, 
Tliou    i)ale    and    sorrowing    man/' 


HEINE 'a  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  G7 


XLIV. 

MY  LOVE,  IN  ITS  GLOOM  AND  ITS  GLORY. 
(S^  Ieud)tet  meiiie  Viebc. 
j\lv  lijve,  ill  its  gloom  and  its  glory, 
So  dark  now,  though  once  "t  was  so  bright, 
Resembles  a  wild  fairy  story 
Which  I  heard  on  a  soft  summer  night. 


o 


"  In  a  park  that  magicians  had  planted 
Two  lovers  at  evening  time  strayed. 
And  round  them  the  nightingales  chanted 
And  the  light  of  the  full  moon  played. 

"The  knight  to  the  maidcMi  was  kneeling, 
Who  stood  like  a  statue  to  hear, 
When  towards  them  a  giant  came  reeling. 
And  she  fled  from  the  monster  in  fear. 

"The  knight  sank  down  dying  and  gory, 
The  giant  reeled  back  to  his  cave,"  — 
The  end  of  this  tragical  story 
Will  a[>[)('ar  when   I  lie   in   the  grave. 


68  UEIXE'S   LYRICAL   INTERLUDE. 


XLV. 

THEY  WRUNG  ME  WITH  THEIR  TORTURE. 

2ic  l)abcn  mid)  iicquiilet. 
They   wrung   me    with   their   torture 
Till    I    was    black    and    white ; 
Some    did    it    witli    llicir    loving, 
Some    did    it    with    their   spite. 

And    all  I   drank    they  poisoned, 
And   poisoned   all   I   ate ; 
Some    did   it    with    their   loving, 
Some    did   it   with   their   hate. 

But    she    who   most   has   aided 
To    make    my   torment   great. 
Did    never,   never   love    me, 
Nor    did    she    ever    hate. 


HEINE' a  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  69 


XLVI. 

THE  ROSY  GLOW  OF  SUMMER, 

(£ci  ticc]t  bcr  (jciilc  2oiiuitci. 
The   rosy   glow  of  suiuiner 
Is    on   thy    dimpled  cheek, 
While    in    thy    lieart    the    winter 
Is    lying    cold    and    bleak. 

Bnt    this  will   change   hereafter, 
When    years   have    done    their   part, 
And   on    thy    cheek    be    winter, 
And   summer    in    thy  heart. 


XLVII. 

HOW  OFT  WHEN  TWO  ARE  PARTING 

:ilH'nn  ,3'^'fi  ^^^^  eiuanber  fcf)ctbcn. 
How   oft   when  two    are   parting 
Their   hands    are    tightly    prest. 
And    tears    of  grief   are  starting, 
And    sighs    oppress    the    breast. 


ro 


J/E/yE-S    LYniCAI.    IXTKinJDE. 


But    Ave    more    lightly    panod; 
Nu   word    of   woe    was    heard, 
Kor    wept    we    brt)ken-hearted ;  — 
All    that    came    afterward. 


XLYIIJ. 

THEY  SAY  THAT  MY  SONGS  ARE  POISONED 

iH'Vciiftct  fiitb  iiieine  !?icbcr. 
Hi-:v  say  that   1113-  songs  are  poisoned  — 
How    could    it   otherwise   be? 
On  the  bloom  of  my  life  thou  pourest 
The    venom    that  wells   in    thee. 

They   say   that   my   songs    are   poisoned  — 
How    eould    it    otherwise    be? 
I    bear   in    my    heart   many   serjients, 
And    tliee,    beloved,    thee 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE. 


71 


XLIX. 

AGAIN  I  DREAM  THE  OLDEN  DREAM 
W\x  ti'ditmte  uiiebcr  bcr  a(tc  Xraiim. 

^UrAiN    I    (Ireain    the    olden    dreain ; 
We    sit   the    May-bouglis    under, 
And    both'    vow    to    love    as   now 
Till    death    onr    trne    lioarts    sun- 
der. 

She  kist   me   twice,   she   kist   me   thrice, 
And   then,    before  she    quit   me, 
Tliat   she    might   not   be   soon  forgot, 
She    took    my   hand   and   l)it    me. 


O   h)ve    with   eyes   like    clearest  skies, 
Why   mar   the   bliss    of  plighting? 
With    words   so    meet    and  lips   so    sweet. 
There    was   no    need    of  l)iting. 


72  yy^/AA' 6  lirical  lxterlude. 


L. 

1  STAND  UPON  THE  MOUNTAIN. 
od)  ftel)"  m\  bciS  23eri]c^o  Spi^^e. 
I    STAND    u|)()ii    the    mountain, 
And    weave    romantic    rhymes, 
And    for    a    bird's    light    pinions 
I   siq-li    a   thousand   times. 


o 


Oh,    were    I    a    sillven  swall(jw, 
I    would    l)uild    my    little    nest 
Beneath    thy   chamber    window. 
And    near   thee   ever   rest. 

Oh,    were    I    a   down}-  tln-ostle, 
I    would   seek   thy  linden  tree, 
And    from  its    verdant   bowsers 
Sing   all    my   songs   to   thee. 

Oh,    were    I    a   silvery   sea-gull, 
J    would    fly   to   thy   gentle    heart, 
For    I   have   seen    how   tender 
To    a    certain    gull    thou    art. 


'•^W^V^^^^ 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    INTEliUJDE.  75 


MY  CARRIAGE  IS  ROLLING  SLOWLY. 
iDfciu  Sininni  votlct  laiu^fnm. 
My    carriage    is    rolling    slowly. 
Ill    I  111"    glory    of   the    day, 
Thi'ouuh    vales    oi'    tliick-slrewu    llowers, 
And    forests    green    with    ]\Iay, 

I    muse    in    dreamy    rapture 
Of   the    maid    of   maids    most    dear, 
When    in    at    the    carriage    ^vindo^v 
Three    sha]^es    of   shadow    ]»eer. 

With    frisks    and    wild    grimaces. 
Most    scornful    and    yet    most    sliy. 
They    swirl    like    mists    togetlier. 
And    leer,    and    hurr}'    b}'. 


76  H1:L\Es    LYUICAL    lyTERLUDE. 


LII. 

EACH   NIGHT  1  SEE  THY  FEATURES  SWEET. 

"i!Uliuid)tlid)  im  Jvaiuno  jet)'  id)  bid). 
Each   night    1    see    thy   features   sweet; 
Tliou   smil'st    when    I    am    sleeping; 
Anil    in    niy    dreanis    before    thy    feet 
I   cast   me,    loiull)'   weeping. 

Thou   look'st   on   me    with   pitying   grace, 
And   shak'st   thy   golden   tresses, 
"While    many   a   tear-drop   down   thy   face 
In    pearly   lustre   presses. 

A    cypress   wreatli    thou   giv'st   to    me. 
With    accents   low   and   broken:  — 
I    wake ;    and    lo,  no    wreath    T    see. 
Nor   know    what   thou    hast   spoken. 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE. 


77 


LIII. 
'TIS  DARK;  AND  THE  RAINS  ARE  POURING. 

2)a§  tft  cin  ^Braufcu  m\\>  .'pculen. 
'T  IS   dark ;    and    the    rains    are    pouring ; 
And    the    autumn    winds    are    wild ; 
And    where,    mid    tlie    rush    and    ruuring, 
Is   my   poor   unhappy    child  ? 


In   her    lonely    room    I    see    her; 
At   the    window   leans    her   form ; 
And   through   tears  —  for   hopes   all   Hee   her 
She    gazes   on    night   and   storm. 


78  IlELXES   LYUICAL    lyTEllLlDE. 


LIV. 

'TIS  A  FROSTY  NIGHT  OF  AUTUMN. 

Xcr  .pcvbftunub  viitlclt  bio  i^amuc. 
"T  IS  a  frostv  iiiLilit  ol"  autumn, 
And  llic  "winds   in   tlic   tvee-tops  moan  ; 
And  Avrapt  in  my  good  gray  mantle, 
I  ride  tlirougli   the  wood  alone. 

And  fast  though  I  ride,  my  fancies, 
More  niml)le,  ride  on  before,    . 
And  bear  me,  light  and  air}^, 
At  once  to  my  loved  one's  door. 

The  dogs  they  bark;  and  the  servants 
Bear  torches  that  round  me  glare ; 
And  my  spurs  they  clank  and'  clatter 

As  I  storm  the  Minding  stair. 

In   her  Avarm  and  tutted  clianiber, 
That  is  briglit  with  the  ta])er's  blush, 
There  fair  and    fi'agrant  Maits  slie, 
And   iiitn   lii-i-  iiiiiis   J    lusli. 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  79 

And  the;   winds  in   the   bruwn  luuves   bluster, 
And  whispers  the  old  oak  tree  : 
"  What  wilt  tliou,  O  foolish  rider, 
With  thy  foolish  reverie?" 


LV. 

A  STAR  TO  EARTH  IS  FALLING. 
(S3  fdllt  eiu  Stern  l)enuitev. 

A    STAR   to    earth    is    falling 
From    its   shining   home    on    high : 
It   is    the    love-star   yonder 
That   quits   the    glittering    sky. 

The    leaves    and    flowers    are    falling 
From    the  hoary   apple    tree, 
And    the   tricksy   breezes   drive    them 
Across   the    yellow   lea. 

A   swan   in    the   lake   is   singing 
As    he    rows    to    and    fro, 
And    oft    he    dips,    as    he  •murmurs. 
In    his    liquid    grave    below\ 


80  IIEiyES   LYRICAL    INTERLUDE. 

The    iiii>'ht    uruw  s    still    ami    darksuine : 
Tlie    blotjsonii;   have    bluwn  away ; 
The    star    has    shimnieied    to    aslies; 
The    swan    has    ended    liis   lay. 


LVL 

THE  DREAM-GOD  BROUGHT  ME  TO  A  CASTLE  VAST. 

Xor  Zvaimuiott  ln-ad)t'  mid)  in  ciit  'Jiiefcuid)(oi\^. 

The  dream-god  brought  me  to  a  castle  vast, 
Where  heavy  perfumes  breathed  and  lights  were  glowing 
There  endless  billows  of  much  people  passed, 
Tlirough  winding  lab}iiiitlis  ol'  cliaiiil)ers  llowing; 
Who  sought  to  leave  the  pile,  willi  looks  aghast. 
And  wrung  their  hands,  and  wept,  as  they  were  going. 
I  marked  l)oth  knights  and  maidens  in  (he  throng, 
And  I  m3-self  was  with  it  swept  along. 

And  suddenlv  I  was  alone,  for  lo, 
The  rest  had  in  a  moment  all  departed. 
Then   T  wr)ul(l   'scape  at  once  that  i)lace  of  woe. 
And  tlirough  tiie  strangely-winding  chambers  started. 


IIEINES    LlRlLAL    INTERLUDE.  88 

My  Lasts  seoiucd   vain;  the   course   1   ditl  not  know, 
And  forward  searclied,  with  leaden  feet,  faint-hearted. 
At  hist  I  found  the  door,  and  sought  to  flee  ; 
iiuL  hea\ens !  what  form  stood  there  eonfronting  nie  I 

It  was  my  loved  one  that  forbade  my  way; 
With  grief  and  care  on  brow  and  lip  she  saw  me ; 
And  when  lier  liand  made  sign  for  me  to  stay, 
I  knew  not  whether  'twas  to  scorn  or  awe  me. 
Yet  from  her  eyes  there  broke  a  gentle  ray 
That  had  strange  power  to  stir  and  draw  me. 
And  while  her  moveless  gaze  thus  pierced  me  deep, 
Severe,  yet  tender,  it  dispelled  ray  sleep. 


LVII. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  CAME;   THE  WINDS  WERE  STILL 

!l)ie  9Jcittei-nacl)t  luav  hitt  nub  ftumm. 
The  midnight  came ;  the  winds  were  still ; 
And  sad  of  heart  I  walked  the  forest  chill : 
And  at  my  woe  the  slumbrous  trees  did  waken, 
And  all  their  heads  with  grief  were  stirred  and  shaken. 


84  UEiy£-6   LYRICAL   IMELLUDE. 


LYIII. 

AT  THE  CROSS-ROADS  THEY  BURIED.^ 
:!lm  ^leu^mec)  aiivb  (icc^val'cn. 
At   the    cross-roads   they   buried 
The    wretched    suicide ; 
And   there   grew  a    blue   flower, 
The    puur-siiJiier-flower. 

At    the    cross-roads   I   stood   sighing : 
The    niglit    was    chill    and   still; 
And   slowly  in    the   moonlight    moved 
The   poor-sinner-flower. 

It  is  impossible  adequately  to  translate  these  woiideif ul  stanzas  in  metrical 
form,  and  hence  I  have  given  a  prosaic  and  almost  literal  rendering.  The 
poem  was  designed  to  suggest  two  views  of  suicide :  one  is  brought  before  us 
in  the  burial,  according  to  raediseval  law,  at  the  cross-roads,  afar  from  holy 
ground,  and  where  the  grave  was  exposed  to  the  contempt  of  men;  by  the 
night-visit  to  this  scene  of  horror;  and  by  the  chill  and  silence  of  the  air;  while 
the  other  is  presented  in  the  poor-sinner-flower  growing  near  the  resting-place 
of  thf  outcast,  and  moving  in  the  moonlight  as  with  compassion  and  liope. 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  85 


LIX. 

ROUND  ME  MIST  AND  MIDNIGHT  DREARY. 
;ffio  id)  bin,  mid)  viiu]\5  unibuufclt. 

KouND   me    mist   and    midniglit   dreary 
Dim    the    earth    and   veil    the    skies, 
Since    thou    hast    withdrawn    the    cheery 
Lustre    of   thy   loving    eyes. 

Naught    can   now,  sweet  stars,  restore   me 
Your   serene    and    holy    light : 
Gulfs    of  darkness   yawn    before   me ;  — 
Take    me,   thou   primeval    night ! 


LX. 

NIGHT  LAY  UPON  MINE  EYELIDS. 
9tarf)t  (ail  fiitf  luctueu  'Jtuiicn. 
Night   lay   upon   mine    eyelids. 
And   on    my   mouth   was   lead, 
And   in    the    grave    I    found    me 
Benumbed    in    heart    and    head. 


86  HEIMr6    LYRICAL    lyTEULi'DE. 

Ami    it'    lay    t^leep    had    lasted 
Long   time,  I   could    not    tell, 
When    I    was    waked    by    some    one 
Who    knocked    upon    my  cell. 

••Wilt    ihuu    not    rise,    my    Heinrich? 
The    Judgment    Day    is    here; 
The    dead    are    all    arisen  . 
Eternal   joy    is    near." 

I    cannot    rise,    tluui    dearest; 
Mine    eyes   lire    veiled    iu    night; 
Mine    e3'es    lor    very    ^veeping 
Have    wholly  lost    their    sight. 

"  But    I    will    kiss    them,  Heinrich, 
And    then    the    night    will    flee, 
And    Heaven    shall    shine    before    thee, 
And    aiifrels    thou    shalt   see." 


'O* 


I    cannot    rise,    thou    deai'est. 
My    heai't    is    bleeding    so 
Where    thy    sweet    ]ij)S   did    stab    it 
"With    one    sharp    word    of   woe. 


HEINE'S  LYRICAL   INTERLUDE.  89 

"  My   liand   so    softly,  HciiiricL, 
Shall    touch    thy    wounded    hciut, 
That   it   shall    Ideed    no    longer, 
Nor   feel    again   the   smart." 

I    cannot   rise,  thou   dearest ; 
My   head   is   bleeding   sore 
Where    once   the  bullet  entered. 
When   thou    wert   mine    no    more. 

"  But   with   my  tresses,  Heinrich, 
I   know   to    bind   thy    head. 
And   staunch   the   flowing   blood-stream 
Where   flew   the    cruel   lead." 

Thus   sweet   did   she   entreat   me; 
I   could   not   say  her   nay; 
I   sought   to    struggle    upward 
And   pass   with   her    away. 

Then    all   my   wounds   broke   open, 
And   straight   a   wilder   stream 
Burst   forth   from   head   and    bosom;  — 
And   lo !   it   was   a   dream. 


90  Jl£jyE.S  LYRICAL   lyTERLCDE. 


LXI. 

THE  OLD  AND  EVIL  NUMBERS. 

Xic  altcu,  luiji-u   Vie&ev. 
The   old    and    evil    numbers, 
The    dreams    of  grief   and    wrong, 
C\)me    nuw  and    lei    us    bury 
In    a    coffin    wide    and    long. 

And    tliey    are    far    too    many 
To    tell    them    every   one. 
And    it    must   be    much    greater 
Than    the    Heidelbergers'    tun. 

A   mourning-bier    beneath    it 
Of  stoutest    timbers    fetch. 
And    further   than    the    lonsr   bridsre 
Of   Mayence    it   must    stretch. 

And    call    me    here    twelve    giants 
With    limbs    more    brawny    grown 
Than    Cliristopher's    the    holy, 
Whose    dust    is    in    Coloerne. 


HEINE'S   LYRICAL    LMI-AiLC DE.  91 

And    these    shall    ttike    and    sink    it 
Beneath    tlic;    oeean    wave; 
For    sueh    a    might}'    coiilin 
Must    have    a    mighty    grave. 

And    wuuldst    thou    know    the    reason 
So   vast   it    must   be    made  ? 
To    hold    my    k)ve    and   sorrow 
Toscether   in    it   hiid. 


^' 


i 


y 


UCSOiirMrp- 


wi»iKK&'» 


'^'^    000  537  584"7 


